Miss O'Connell | B.E

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"And you still haven't submitted any of the work from yesterday!" Sister Agnes boomed, her ear-piercing voice like a clap of thunder. Divine wasn't fond of the thunder.

She groaned, letting her face fall into her hands, rubbing her temples to try to pry herself from lack of sleep. It was the day after the mishaps, and she'd spent the night taking care of Billie, making sure she was well rested. Leaving herself with barely any sleep.

"Sister Agnes, for the love of—" Divine began, only to be cut off by the startling slam of Sister Agnes' hand against her office desk, the sound making Divine's spine snap straight.

"We do not take the Lord's name in vain," Sister Agnes cracked, her lids narrowed.

Divine let her eyes raise to the ceiling trying to gather the slither of patience in her body. "Well, excuse me, Sister Agnes, but I only just got the work yesterday. You're acting like it's been a week. I'll get it done, alright?" Her attitude was now clearly coming out to play. "I've only got a few things left to finish, damn it."

Sister Agnes' eyes deepened. Her saggy features tightened, lips pursing into a thin, disapproving line. "Language, Miss McClelland," she warned with a deadly sound. Her jaw would screech like rusted hinges every time she opened her mouth to snarl.

Divine sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes again. Instead, she shifted in her chair, crossing her leg over the other. "Fine. No 'damn it,' no 'Lord's name in vain.' Got it," her sarcasm was as clear as the wrinkles on sister Agnes' forehead.

Sister Agnes ignored the tone, leaning forward slightly. "You may think this is all a joke, Divine, but your behavior is unbecoming of a student here. You've been slacking on your responsibilities—"

"I haven't been slacking!" Divine shot back. "You know that more than anyone. I am the only reason this school has its outstanding mathematical reputation" Divine was letting herself lose control of her tone, and she couldn't risk getting into trouble and drawing attention to herself, not with everything going on with her and Billie. "I'm just... dealing with some stuff, okay?"

Sister Agnes raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "We all have 'stuff' to deal with, Miss McClelland. That doesn't excuse neglecting your duties. You'll submit the assignments by tomorrow, or you'll face further consequences. Understood?"

Divine clenched her jaw, but nodded. "Understood."

Sister Agnes studied her for a moment longer, then leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "I expect more from you," she said. "You're capable of so much more than this."

Divine looked away, chewing at her bottom lip. She hated when they did this—made her feel like she could be better, like she was failing someone who actually cared.

"I'll get it done," she hissed, her voice barely escaping her lips.

Sister Agnes let her bony hands rest on the desk, leaning back in her chair with a sinful stare. "Why can't you be more like your father? Hmm? He's a good man." She smiled, revealing her stained teeth—a hideous sight, to say the least.

Divine tilted her head, glancing at the nun through the side of her narrowed eyes, baffled. "My father is in jail. Need I remind you?"

Sister Agnes rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, I'm well aware. But we all know no white man in jail has done wrong; he's simply misunderstood."

Divine's jaw dropped her eyes wide, she thought there was no way she was hearing things properly. Is she serious? She rose from her seat just enough to lean over the desk. "Have you lost your mind?! You don't even know the man!" her voice much louder than she would have liked.